Electric snap switch of the toggle type



A. w. KRIEGER ,705

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH OF THE TOGGLE TYPE Aug. 11, 1936.

Filed June 3, 1935 F*Z & us a az sz ao J :2 a: s2 sz 52 c I\ 32, w W i181 Q 9 x6 16 17 10 a e $6 n 17 I0 21 2 y is M 25 I0 "7"! Z0 1' 5 r I .4 m z5 z! lz ylo Insulation Insulation Relatively Soft I Rubber Patented Aug. 11, 1936 QFFEQE ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH OF THE TOGGLE TYPE Alvin W. Krieger, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application June 3, 1935, Serial No. 24,644

' 16 Claims. (01. zoo-67) This invention relates to improvements in electric snap switches of the toggle type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a relatively small switch of the aforemen- 5 tioned character having a relatively high current carrying and are rupturing capacity.

Another object is to provide novel means for electrically separating or insulating the contact elements of the switch from the actuating mech- 10 anism.

Another object is to reduce the cost of con- 15 fastening elements required to retain the switch parts in assembled relation.

Another object is to generally improve the details of construction and the operation of switches of the aforementioned character.

2 Another and more specific objec'tis to provide a base having a novel form of arcing chamber for the contact elements of the switch.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

25 The accompanying drawing illustrates certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other fo without departing from the scope of the appended 30 claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a. vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a switch constructed in accordance with my invention,-certain of the switch parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in side elevation an partly in vertical section, showing a switch of the character illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, but having 40 a one-hole mounting means and a modified form of actuating lever to be supported thereby.

Fig. 4 is a view, in separated relation, of the parts of the switch shown in Figs. 1 and 2,-the

I top plate and the attaching screws therefor being 45 omitted.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the switch shown in Figs. 1 and 2,a portion of the top plate being broken away.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the metal 50 switch frame and the parts carried thereby, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a separateinsul'ating block formed of relatively soft rubber.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 4 to 6, the numerals l0 and II designate the two parts of the 55 molded insulatingbase of the switch,-said base as shown being divided in the plane of its greatest dimensions. The adjacent faces of said base parts are complementally recessed at I03 I l to provide an upper chamber to accommodate the switch actuating mechanism and at Iil H to 5 provide a lower chamber to accommodate the stationary and movable contact elements of the switch-said base parts being also formed as indicated at l0", H to provide a slot affording restricted communication between the aforemen- 10 tioned chambers, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The switch actuating mechanism is supported by a frame l2 which comprises a sheet metal member bent to substantially U-shape in horizontal cross section. The arms l2, l2 of said frame are provided intermediate the length thereof with integral downward cxtensionsl2, IN, and said arms are provided with openings The enlarged upper ends of said openings are adapted to provide bearings for the opposite ends of a pivot pin l3,

as best illustrated in Fig. 2. Pin I3 is freely insertable through an opening I4 provided in the insulating actuating lever Not the switch and through the opening (Fig. 1) provided in the metal member l5 embedded or molded in said lever. Member I5 is provided with a curved or rounded lower end I 5 to provide an abutment for cooperative engagement with the cupped metal member it carried by the upper end of a coiled compression spring I1. I

The yoke or U-shaped member I8 is preferably formed from a suitable length' of spring wire,

and the outwardly bent ends I8 18*" thereof are adapted to be hooked into bearing engagement with the reduced lower ends of said openings 12, l2 ,-'this operation requiring a slight degree of inward bending of the arms of yoke l8, as will be obvious. Prior to attachment of 40 yoke I8 to the switch frame I attach to the yoke a fiat punched plate IQ of insulating material,- said plate having an opening l9 to provide for pivotal support thereof by the connecting portion l8 of the yoke. The upper end l9 of plate I9 is formed to provide an abutment for the v lower end of spring [1. The lower portion of said to provide a contact surface corresponding in shape to the rivet head aforementioned.

The walls of the complementary recesses In II are so shaped as to provide for a snug interlocking fit of the switch frame l2 therewithin and to provide clearance for the oscillatable yoke l8. The base parts are complementally formed at the upper end thereof, as shown at M li to provide sumcient clearance for the actuating lever M. The slot provided by the formations at 1, ll in the base parts provides ample clearance for the oscillatory movement of plate i9, while at the same time insuring the desired separation and insulation of the movable contactor 20, 20 from the metal parts of the switch actuating mechanism.

I provide a pair of right-hand and left-hand combined stationary contact and wiring terminal members, the resilient contact portions 2], 22 of which are in the form of metal strips of substantially arcuate shape,the same having vertically extending ends 2 i 22 which are rigidly attached to the outer surfaces of the wiring ter-' minal portions 23, 24, as by spot-welding, brazing, soldering or riveting. In the instant case it may be assumed that said elements are united by brazing. Said contact portions are each bent along three parallel lines, to, first extend toward each other; then parallel with each other, and then outwardly from each other ;--the flared free ends 21*, 22 thusprovided being adapted to facilitate movement of contactor 23, 23 into bridging engagement therewith. The complementary recesses 10 II include pockets to ac commodate said contact portions 2|, 22 and to permit a suiiicient degree of lateral displacement thereof as an incident to engagement of contactor 20, 20 therewith.

Base parts I and II are respectively provided with integral end extensions m H and said extensions are provided with openings,as best illustrated at Ill in Fig. 4, to permit projection or insertion of the respective terminal portions outwardly at an angle therethrough; whereuponsaid terminal portions may be moved to or positioned in parallelism with the outer surfaces of the extensions I0 ll Portions 23 and 24 are respectively provided with upper edge notches 23 24 and lower edge notches 23 24 ,--and the base parts It] and I l are cooperatively formed for interlockingengagement by'the walls of said notches to prevent endwise displacement of the combined contact and terminal members in either direction.

While I may form the base parts and 7f any suitable insulating material, I prefer to mold the same from acomposition comprising the phenol-formaldehyde condensation product sold under the trade name of bakelite,--said composition likewise including a filler of well known form, preferably fibrous. I likewise employ a relatively small, separately molded insulating block 25, which is provided with a groove 25 and is otherwise shaped as shown for proper interlocking engagement with the base parts l0 and H, as best illustrated in Fig. 1. Block 25 is interposed between the aforementioned wiring terminal portions 23 and 24, whereby the latter and the contact portions 2|, 22 are retained in assembled relationship to the base parts.

The block 25 may be molded from a composi- .tion comprising the' aforementioned phenolfor the shanks of said screws.

l0 and II the block 25 is slightly compressed to insure against any looseness of the combined contact and wiring terminal members. Also as will be apparent from consideration of Fig. 1, the insulating plate I9 is adapted in one extreme position thereof to abut the angular face 25 of said block,wherefore said block, if formed of relatively soft rubber, will act as a cushion for plate I 9 to reduce the wear and decrease the degree of sound produced by operation of the latter. Plate l9 upon movement thereof to its opposite extreme position is adapted to abut or engage the left-hand end walls (Fig. 1) of the complementary recesses I0 II.

The outer ends of terminal portions 23 and 24 are provided with tapped openings 23, 24, respectively, to accommodate the usual terminal screws 23. and 24 ,the extensions I D l I being formed as shown at I0 ll to provide clearance The outer corners of .said terminal portions 23 and 24 are preferably bent upwardly at an angle, in the usual manner, to provide wire beard guards.

The base parts In and II are provided with pairs of alined openings III, II) and H H through which extend a pair of fastening memf insertion of fastening members 26 and 21, I interpose between the base parts. a pair of nuts 28 and 29, preferably square,said base parts being complementally recessed, as indicated at I0 IE, to receive and retain said nuts. Said base parts are additionally recessed to accommodate the threaded shanks of bolts 30 and 3| which extend downwardly through suitable spaced openings 32, '32 in a metal top plate or supporting plate 32.

Top plate 32 is provided with a rectangular opening 32 which fits rather closely about the complementary flanges or upward extensions I0 H which define the lever opening I0 H in the base .parts l0 and II. Top plate 32 is provided at opposite ends thereof with openings 32 32 to accommodate the countersunk heads of a pair of screws or bolts (not shown) for flush mounting of the switch as a unit with respect to a suitable support. Lever l4 may be provided as shown with legends indicating the on" and off positions of the switch.-

The switch shown in Fig. 3 is substantially like that aforedescribed, except that I have shown a top plate 33 whose dimensions are preferably the same as the dimensions of the top face of the two-part base l0, |l. Plate 33 is provided with a slightly raised or bulged central portion having a circular opening '33 to *accommodate the reduced lower end 34 of an externally threaded hollow metal bushing 34, said reduced lower end 34 being upset over the lower face of said bulged portion to retain said parts in assembled relation. Bushing 34 is preferably provided with the usual vertical groove to insure proper positioning of a suitable "on and off indicating plate (not shown), and the plate 33 is provided with a lug. 33 which fits into the lower portion of said groove 34 to positively insure against rotation of the bushing relatively to the top plate. I

Bushing 34 is preferably provided at its upper end with an inwardly extending annular flange 34 defining an opening 34 whose walls are adapted to limit the degree of oscillatory movement of the actuating lever 35. Lever 35 is provided with a substantially spherical enlargement 35 having a diametrically extending opening to receive the pivot pin 36 which is fixed in any well known manner to the opposite walls of bushing34. The lower end 35 of lever 35 is preferably provided with a spherical end 35 to engage the member H3 at the upper end of spring IT. The other parts of the switch shown in Fig. 3 are identical with the parts aforedescribed and have been given like numerals of reference. Thus the frame l2 may be identical with the frame aforedescribed, even though the openings (one of which is shown at I2 in the frame are not utilized as bearings for the pivot pin.

It may be noted that Fig. 1 is drawn to a scale of one and one-half times the actual size of the switch. Nevertheless a swich of the actual size just mentloned has an arc rupturing capacity and full time rating of 15 amperes, at 125 volts. The advantages of my invention will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a two-part molded insulating base, the adjacent faces of said base parts having complementary recesses formed therein to provide a switch chamber and a substantially closed contact chamber, switch actuating mechanism located within said switch chamber and stationary and movable contact elements located within said contact chamber, said switch actuating mechanism including an .insulating plate having a portion thereof extending into said contact chamber, the movable contact element comprising a metal member penetrating said plate and movable thereby into and out of bridging engagement with said stationary contacts, and

said contact chamber having portions of its walls so formed as to minimize the clearance between the same and said plate and the movable contact element carried thereby upon separation of said movable contact element from the stationary'contacts of the switch, to thereby effect extinguishmentof any arcs formed as anincident to separation of the switch contacts.-

2. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a

molded insulating b-ase divided in the plane of the walls of the upper set of complementary reits greatest dimensions, the-two sections of said base having sets of upper'and lower complementary recesses formed therein, switch actuating mechanism located within and supported by cesses, said sections being also formed to provide a slot affording restricted communication between the upper and lower sets of complementary recesses, a pair .of spaced stationary contacts 10- cated within the lower set of complementary recesses at one end of the latter, said switch actu ating mechanism including an oscillatable insulating plate a portion of which extends into said Y lower set of complementary recesses, the walls of said slot affording clearance'for said plate, a contactor carried by said plate andexpoSed on opposite sides thereof adjacent to'the end of the latter which is remote from the stationary contacts base having sets of upper and. lower complementary recesses formed therein, switch actuating mechanism located within and supported solely by the walls of the upper set of complementary recesses, said sections being also-formed to provide a slot affording restricted communication between the upper and lower sets of complementaryrecesses, a pair of combined stationary contact and terminal members, each of said members having its contact portion located within one of the lower set of complementary recesses and having its terminal portion exposed at one end of said base, said members'each having a loose interlocking connection with its respective base section to facilitate assembly of said parts, a separately molded insulating member interposed between said combined contact and terminal members and adapted to retain the latter in spaced relation to each other and in interlocked relation to the respective base sections, said insulating member being interlocked with each of said base sections when the latter are secured to each other, said switch actuating mechanism, including an insulating plate which is oscillatable within said lower set of compleme tary recesses, the walls of said slot affording cle rance forsaid plate, a contactor comprising ametal member penetrating said plate at the end of the latter which is remote from the stationary contacts in the off position of the switch, said contactor being movable by said plate with a snap action into and out of bridging engagement with said contacts, and the walls of said slot and said lower set of complementary recesses cooperating with said plate and said contactor to effect extinguishment of any arcs drawn between the latter and said contacts as an incident to disengagement thereof 4. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a: molded insulating base divided in the plane of its greatest dimensiona the two sections of said base having sets of upper and lower comple- Y mentary recesses formed therein, switch actuating mechanism located within and supported solely by the walls of the upper set of comple mentary recesses, said sections being also formed to provide a slot affording restricted communication between the upper and lower sets of complementary recesses, a pair of combined stationary contact and terminal members, each of said members having its contact portion locatedwithin one of the lower set of complementary recesses and having its terminal portion exposed at one end of said base, said memberseach having a loose interlocking connection with its respective base section to facilitate assembly of said parts, a separately molded insulating member interposed between said combined contact and terminal members and adapted to retain the latter g in spaced relation to each other and in interlocked relation to the respective base sections, said insulating'member being interlocked with each of said basesections when the latter are secured to each other, said switch actuating mechanism including an insulating plate which is oscillatable within said lower set of complementary recesses, the walls of said slot affording clearance for said plate, a contactor comprising a metal member penetrating said plate at the end of the latter which is remote from the stationary contacts in the off position of the switch, said contactor being movable by said plate with a snap action into and out of bridging engagement with said contacts, the walls of said lower set of complementary recesses cooperating with said plate and said contactor to effect extinguishment of any arcs drawn between the latter and said contacts as an incident to disengagement thereof, and a pair of rivets each penetrating the respective base sections and upset to rigidly and permanently secure all of said parts in assembled relation.

5. As an article of manufacture, a two-part vertically divided molded insulating base for electric snap switches of the toggle type, the parts of said base having sets of upper and lower complementary recesses formed therein, said parts being also formed to provide a slot to afford restricted communication between said upper and lower sets of complementary recesses, said parts having like extensions formed at one end thereof, said extensions having openings formed therein, said openings providing for insertion and loose interlocking connection of a pair of combined contact and terminal members with the respective casing parts, and a separate insulating member interposed between said base parts to afford a positive interlocking connection between said combined contact and terminal members and said base parts upon securement of the latter to each other.

6. As a article of manufacture, a two-part vertically divided molded insulating base for electric snap switches of the toggle type, the parts of said base" having sets of upper and lower complementary recesses formed therein, said parts being also formed to provide a slot to afford restricted communication between said upper and lower sets of complementary recesses, said parts having like extensions formed at one end thereof, said extensions having openings formed therein, said openings providing for insertion and loose interlocking connection of a pair of combined contact and terminal members with the respective casing parts, and a separate insulating member interposed between said base parts to afford a positive interlocking connection between said combined contact and terminal members and said base parts upon securement of the latter to each other, said separate insulating member comprising a molded body of relatively soft rubber.

7. In an electric snap switch of the toggle type, in combination, a frame comprising a sheet metal member bent to substantially U-shape in horizontal cross section, the arms of said U-shaped member each having an integral downward extension, said arms having alined openings of keyhole shape formed therein respectively, the reduced lower ends of said openings being located within the respective extensions, a wire member bent to substantially U-shape to provide a yoke, the arms of said yoke having outwardly bent ends adapted to pivotally engage the lower ends of said openings, a flat "punched plate of insulating material pivotally supported by the connecting portion of said yoke, the upper end of said plate being formed to provide a spring abutment, the lower end of said plate being of insulating plate being movable with a snap action substantially elliptical contour and having an opening formed therein at one side of its point of pivotal support, a metal member penetrating said. last mentioned opening and having its ends exposed on opposite sides of the plate, an actuating 5 oscillation of said lever, the two parts of said base having, sets of upper and lower complementary recesses formed in the adjacent faces thereof, said parts being formed to provide a slot affording restricted communication between the upper and lower sets of recesses, said upper set of recesses being formed to receive said frame with a snug interlocking fit and to provide oscillating clearance for said yoke, said insulating plate extending downwardly through said slot into said lower set of recesses, a pair of resilient stationary contacts located at one end of the lower set of recesses, said insulating plate being continuously interposed between and engaged by said contacts, said contactor being movable by said plate into and out of engagement with said contacts, and said contacts having terminal elements exposed at one end of said base at a point intermediate the depth of the latter. 9. An electric snap switch of the character set forth in claim 9, including a molded insulating base divided in a plane parallel to the plane of oscillation of said lever, the two parts of said base having sets of upper and lower complementary recesses formed in the adjacent faces thereof, said parts being formed to provide a slot affording restricted communication between the upper and lower sets. of recesses, said upper set of recesses being formed to receive said frame with a snug interlocking fit and to provide oscillating clearance for said yoke, said insulating plate extending downwardly through said slot into said lower set of recesses,-a pair of combined stationary contact and terminal members each having a loose interlocking connection with one of said base parts, the contact portions of said members being located at one end of the lower set of recesses and between which contact portions said insulating plate is continuously interposed, a separately molded insulating member interlocked with the base parts and interposed between the terminal portions of said members to retain the latter in assembled position, said between opposite extreme positions thereof to effect engagement of said contactor with and disengagement thereof from said contact portions, said insulating plate being adapted to abut the complementary end walls of the lower set of recesses upon movement thereof in one direction, and said plate being adapted to abut said separately molded insulating member upon movement thereofin the opposite direction.

10. In an electric snap switch, in combination, 70

a molded insulating base vertically divided in the plane of its greatest dimensions, the adjacent faces of the base parts being complementally recessed to provide upper and lower chambers with a communicating slot formed therebetween,

,plate of insulating material extending downwardly through said slot and oscillatable within said lower chamber, a contactor carried by said plate and having its ends exposed on opposite sides of the latter, said base parts each having an extension formed at one end thereof, each of said extensions having an opening formed therein, a pair of combined contact and terminal members, the terminal portions of said members being adapted upon tilting thereof to pass freely through the respective openings to a predetermined extent, said terminal portions and said base parts being cooperatively formed to provide interlocking connections therebetween, a separately formed insulating member interposed between said terminal portions to space the latter and to maintain the same in assembled position, the contact portions of said members being located in spaced relation at one end of said lower chamber, said insulating plate being interposed between said contact portions in all positions of the former, and said contactor being movable by said plate into and out of bridging engagement with said contact portions.

11. An electric snap switch of the character set V forth in claim 10, in which the walls of the lower chamber are formed for cooperation with the insulating plate to insure extinguishment of any arcs drawn upon disengagement of the contactor from the contact portions.

12. An electric snap switch of the character set forth in claim 10, in which the walls of the lower chamber are formed for cooperation with the insulating plate to insure extinguishment of any arcs drawn upon disengagement of the contactor from the contact portions, the parts of the base being formed to provide a flange upstanding around the opening in the upper end thereof, a supporting top plate having an opening formed therein to accommodate said flange with a fairly close fit, means for removably attaching said top plate to said base parts, and a plurality of fastening members penetrating said base parts and rigidly and permanently attached thereto to retain said parts in assembled relation.

13. In an electric snap switch of the toggle type, in combination, a two-part vertically divided molded insulating base, said parts having like extensions formed at one end thereof, said extensions having openings formed therein respectively, a pair of combined contact and terminal members, the terminal portion of each of said members comprising a substantially rigid fiat punched sheet metal plate having a tapped opening formed therein adjacent to one end thereof, the other end of each plate having notches formed in its upper and lower edges, said terminal portions being insertable into the respective openings in said extensions, the walls of said notches having interlocking engagement with the respective base parts, a separate insulating block interposed between said terminal portions to restrain the same against relative lateral displacement upon securementpf. the base parts to each other, the contact portions of said members comprising resilient sheet metal elements rigidly attached to the respective outer sides of said metal plates at the notched ends of the latter, the respective free ends of said resilient contact portions being of arcuate formation, said free arcuate ends each being bent at two points along parallel vertical lines to provide for location of the tips thereof in normal planes offset inwardly from the planes of said plates respectively, and said tips each being also bent outwardly along a third parallel vertical line to facilitate joint engagement thereof by an osoillatable contactor of suitable form.

14. In an electric snap switch of the toggle type, in combination, a frame comprising a punched strip metal member bent along two spaced vertical lines to substantially U-shape in horizontal cross section, the arms of said member each having an integral downward extension located in the plane thereof, said arms and extensions having openings of keyhole shape formed therein in alinement with each other, the relatively large upper ends of said openings providing substantially closed supporting bearings, an actuating lever located between the arms of said frame, said lever having a pivot,

opening formed therein, a pin of circular cross section insertable through the upper ends of said keyhole openings and said pivot opening, the lower ends of said keyhole openings being of relatively narrow elongated form to provide upwardly opening bearings, a. wire member bent to substantially U-shape to provide a yoke, the arms of said yoke having outwardly bent ends in pivotal engagement with said last mentioned bearings, a molded insulating base divided in a plane parallel to the plane of oscillation of said 'lever, the two parts of said base being recessed to receive with a snug interlocking fit the arms and extensions of said frame, a contactor carried by but insulated from said yoke, and a plurality of resilient contacts carried by said base and adapted for cooperation with said contactor.

15. In an electric snap switch of the" toggle type, in combination, a metal member of substantially U-shape providing a yoke, the arms of said yoke having outwardly projecting ends, means providing a fixed pivotal support for said projectingends, a flat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having an opening formed therein to provide for pivotal support thereof by the connecting portion of said yoke, said plate being formed to Provide aspring abutment above the point of pivotal support thereof by said yoke, the lower portion of said plate being formed to extend a substantial distance on each side of the point of pivotal support thereof, a contactor attached to said lower portion of the plate adjacent to one end of the latter and exposed on opposite Sides thereof, a pair of resilient stationary contacts between which said plate is continuously interposed, and means including a coiled compression spring for effecting snap movements of said yoke and said plate between opposite extreme positions thereof, whereby said contactor is engaged with and disengaged from said stationary contacts.

16. In an electric snap switch of the toggle type, in combination, a metal member of substantially U-shape providing a yoke, the arms of said yoke having outwardly projecting ends, means providing a fixed pivotal support for said projecting ends, a fiat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having an opening formed therein to provide for pivotal support thereof by the connecting portion of said yoke, said plate being formed to provide a spring abutment above the point of pivotal support thereof by said yoke, the lower portion of said plate being formed to extend a substantial distance on each side of the point of pivotal support thereof, a contactor attached to said lower portion'of the plate adjacent to one end of the latter and exposed on opposite sides thereof, a pair of resilient stationary contacts between which said plate is continuously interposed, means including a coiled compression spring for effecting snap movements of said yoke and said plate between opposite extreme positions thereof, whereby said contactor is engaged with and disengaged from said stationary contacts, and means comprising a. molded insulating casing recessed to provide a pocket into which said contactor is moved by said plate upon disengagement of said contactor from said contacts, whereby arcing between said contactor and said contacts is minimized.

: ALVIN W. KRIEGER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,050,705. August 11, 1956.

AWE? W9 KRl-EGE lt is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of patent requiring; correction follows; Page 4, second the above numbered column. lines 15 and 57, claims 8 and 9 :espectively, for the claim reference numeral "9" read 7; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of March, A ,D. 1937.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

